Thorns and Crowns

I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  II Cor. 12:7-10

Does it seem like more and more Christians you know are being persecuted in some form or another?  Maybe you are having to endure some "seemingly-never-ending" battle with the enemy.  Sometimes it seems like the persecution has become a thorn that is stuck in your flesh.  No matter how many times you plead with God to remove it, for some reason, He will not remove it.

         

Ever been there?      

I have.  In fact, recently I begged God to remove not just one thorn, but SEVERAL, that torment me and have crushed my spirit.  "This just doesn't make any sense, Father!  This hurts so badly!  It seems as if these thorns in my flesh will never be removed!"

But then the Holy Spirit began to gently reply, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev. 3:21) 

            

Then He began to "paint a mental picture" by saying, "Take these thorns that I have allowed, and imagine them to be woven into a crown, dear child. 

                                

I wore a crown of thorns too. . . but I overcame.   If you overcome (and you will, through Me) I will turn each and every painful thorn into a beautiful jewel, and each of those jewels is woven into an eternal crown.  You will share My throne with Me." 

                                 

Jesus allows the painful thorns in our flesh for a specific reason.  Maybe it's to allow us to fellowship with Him in His suffering. . but it doesn't stop there!   In our weakness, His power will rest upon us, just like a crown rests upon a person's head.  He turns the crown of thorns into the resting place of His power!    

                      

Each trouble, storm, and "thorn from the enemy" is painful and difficult to bear, yes, ~ but when I realize Jesus has allowed it, and by His grace I'll someday trade this "crown of thorns" for a beautiful crown in heaven, my heart is humbled.  There is nothing in me that is worthy to even partake of His suffering.  

            

Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

        

Dear Heavenly Father, why should You even allow me the privilege of wearing a crown woven full of thorns?  Even though these "thorns" hurt, and are in the form of being ridiculed,  despitefully used, misunderstood, insulted, hated and rejected, help me remember You are giving me a chance to understand more of Your Son's suffering that He endured on my behalf.  He kept His eyes on the joy that was set before Him. . . so please help me keep my eyes on the joy that is set before ME too.  The Joy of Knowing You, the Joy of Becoming More Like Your Son, the Joy of being broken and spilled out.  The Joy of one day ruling and reigning with Jesus.

Just like the bubbling brook that laughs and sings as it splashes over the rocks, and goes lower and lower, help me find this Joy that only comes from You so that I may be a blessing to others who come in contact with me.  I picture a babbling brook and someone dipping their tired feet in the cool water, just to find refreshment.  The brook is low, at the feet of others.... a picture of humility.  But on its way down, the babbling brook laughed and sang joyfully, as it overcame the rocks and "obstacles" it faced.  Please help me be joyful as I'm on my way "down."  Make me a channel of blessing to others.  Thank You, Jesus, for wearing a crown of thorns for me!  May Your power rest upon my head, just like a crown. 

In Your lovely name I pray, Amen.

Quakes and Storms

For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

Today was a rather unusual day for us.  At the eye doctor for my daughter, and while she was being tested, I was sitting nearby. . . all of a sudden, I heard this "sound;" at the same time, the building began to shake, and I began to feel like I was sitting on a freight train, barreling down a track.  At first it reminded me of when Hurricane Isabel was roaring through here, in 2003.  With the news and focus on Hurricane Irene which may make landfall near the Outer Banks and then come through our area, my mind was already on the idea of a hurricane coming through.  So as I heard the sound, and felt the shaking of the building, my eyes went directly to the window and saw the bright blue sky.  That's when I realized this was no major wind/storm event, but rather an earthquake.  That's just something that doesn't happen around here y'all.  "Bizarre" was the only word I could think of. 

Immediately I picked up my cell phone to check in with my husband....no cell phone coverage. . . for a long time.   In fact, no one in the building had coverage, regardless of who their cell phone company was.

Seems like as soon as something earth-shaking happens, we automatically turn to our phones and call our loved ones, to check on them, or to reach out and find out what is going on.  And in times like this, it seems that "all circuits are busy" for quite some time, and we can't "get through."

With all eyes on Irene, and as we face uncertain times, we need to remember Who makes us to dwell in safety.  It's rather ironic how my physical life today seems to mimic my spiritual:  unexpectedly shaky, and another big storm on the horizon. 

As I glanced at my little perpectual calendar here, and read the "thought for the day," it was appropriate, so I thought I'd share it here.

"God's presence stands between

the turmoil of the world and my spirit. 

His peace is my safe harbor in the storm."  

B.J. Hoff

I'm so thankful that when I'm shaken by the storms and quakes in life, I can reach out to my Heavenly Father, Who knows all things, and I will never have to worry if I'll "get through" to Him.  In fact, not only can I be assured that I'll get through, I can find assurance in knowing that He is with me in the midst of the storm.

The LORD your God in your midst,  

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

 

Thank You, Father, for keeping us safe today, and please have Your will regarding the storm that is churning out at sea.  I remember how Jesus had "constrained" the disciples to get into the boat, and He knew that there was a huge storm awaiting them.  He had just done the miracle of feeding the 5000, and they had witnessed Him doing that.  Yet, in the first big storm after that, as He began to walk towards them, on that stormy sea, they not only didn't recognize Him, they feared He was a ghost.  I can understand how they felt.  At least Peter had the courage to call out to Jesus and say, "if it is You, tell me to come to You."  And Peter did step out of that boat.  The others remained in the boat.  Of course, like Peter, I take my eyes off of Your Son, and look at my surrounding circumstances, and then I sink.  I can hear Jesus whisper, "Why do you have such small faith?"  Oh Father, please forgive me for how quickly my faith can be rattled, and allow Your Son to pick me up; and if He chooses to put me back in the boat, may others see that He is Who He says He is, and may they bring Him glory too, just like the disciples did when Peter climbed back in the boat.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Overcoming in this World

This is a note for anyone who may find that the storms of life are overtaking them. . .that the waves crash, one right on top of another, without any reprieve.  There seems to be "no rest for the weary."  This is for anyone who has ever felt like they could just use ONE DAY with good news. . .one moment in time where there was peace from the ongoing storms of life. 

When everything seems to be so discouraging, remember Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

He says "IN HIM" we may have peace.  "Abiding in HIM" (and "He in me") is the way for me to experience peace in my storms.  God's Word tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  To be a prince, a male must be born to the royal family of that particular country.  He inherits the title Prince, by birth, and the country is what He is the "prince of."  Peace.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He IS peace.  And He is the ONLY ONE Who can speak Peace to our storms.  Wait a minute!  He is the Only One Who can come IN the MIDST of our storms, and set up His kingdom and "reign" down His Peace to our hearts.   

The Prince of Peace, Jesus, tells us that He has overcome The World.  The World of worry, the World of fear, the World of meanness, the World of selfishness, the World of pride, the World of self-righteousness, the World of greed...the World of SIN. 

He also tells us, in Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."  Go back and substitute YOUR name where the words "TO HIM" are.  "To Tammi, who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with ME on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." 

Take heart, dear friends.  In this world, this world filled with sinful, fallen mankind, we will have trouble.  It's just inevitable.  But because HE OVERCAME every single sin that mankind is capable of committing, (and will commit) we too can overcome our storms ~ the storms that are either caused by others' sinful natures, our own sinful mistakes OR they are sent by our Father, Who, motivated by His love for us, sends them in order to purify us.

God allows these storms to strengthen us, and "agitate" us--- like the washing machine.  If it weren't for that agitator, the clothes would just sit in that soapy water, and soak.  They have to be agitated in order for the grime and dirt to be "knocked loose." 

God knows what He is doing.  He knows what He is after when He allows these storms and trials to come, sometimes one right after another. . . but He has promised that they will not overtake us.  

Father, Thank You so much for encouraging my heart in the midst of the Storms of Life.  And when I look at the initials of those three words, I see S.O.L.  That reminds me of the "Standards of Learning" that our children have to take at the end of each school year.  What am I learning in the midst of my storms of life?  Am I making the grade?  Am I becoming more like Your dear Son?  Or is there a lesson that You have to keep bringing me to, because I just do not learn the lesson?  What could it be that I am missing?  Please open my eyes, through the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You for Your patience, Your long suffering, and tender loving care.  And for Your Faithfulness. 

In Jesus' Name...Amen.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2